Hong San See Temple was constructed between 1908 and 1913, erected by migrants from Nan An County in Fujian province with materials imported from China.

In 1907, the land was acquired by the government for reclaiming Telok Ayer Bay and the temple trustees were given compensation of $50,000.

The temple trustees used the money to buy land on a 999-year lease on Mohamed Sultan Road from Sam Tomlimson who was the Municipal Engineer.

Sited on the side of Institution Hill, the temple was situated on high ground with a view of the sea.

One major change, now likely to have been removed, was the addition of ornate carvings painted in gold all along the trusses of the temple.

However, it remains on high ground, and to reach the temple, devotees have to climb a long flight of stairs.

Hong San See is located on a hill with the entrance facing south or the yang position at the back of the complex against higher ground and the cold north that generates yin, which also has a good feng shui.

The granite column on either side of the main entrance are engraved verses extolling the site's once excellent view of the sea and its wealthy neighbourhood.

Chen nien ornamentation is the tradition southern Chinese art of creating figures, flowers, leaves and other images with small pieces of colourful porcelain.

The main hall of the temple with the altar to patron deity Guangze Zunwang is raised on a nine-metre podium and opens out to the internal open-air courtyard in front of it.

The secondary altars are dedicated to Cheng Huang (城隍) and Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝; Heavenly Emperor).